Council approves $89,000 change order for Watermain and Manifold improvements; state funding covers contingency

The City Council approved Change Order No. 1 to the public‑works agreement with Pyramid Building & Engineering Inc. for the Watermain and Manifold Improvements Project, adding approximately $89,000 to the contract for additional valves and work discovered during preconstruction. The revised contract total was stated as $1,218,376.82.

City staff explained that original plans did not fully reveal existing underground conditions for pipes installed in the 1950s, requiring extra isolation valves and apparatuses to complete the project safely and to modern standards. Staff emphasized the change order will be submitted to the project engineer and to the State of California for approval before funds are expended; the project is funded through state sources rather than local ratepayers.

Council asked for timing and resident impact; staff said the project is complex and estimated multiple months of work with a hoped‑for completion by December. The motion to approve the change order passed by roll call with unanimous approval among members present.

Next steps: staff will coordinate engineer approvals, processing with the State, and continue public notifications about any planned shutoffs or service impacts.